Help with difficult light decision because of dementions of the reef tank
- Thread starter Sjaako
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ReefinIt
Active Member
I wait for Black Friday when they go on sale, and saltwater aquarium gives a discount on when you buy multiples. Last November i paid around $18 a bulb. I change out once a year, so around $150.
The T5 fixture is cheaper than going full LEDs and the fixture itself will last longer the LEDs. I think the costs even out in the long run, maybe slightly higher for LED.
To get the same par as T5, you will need a lot of LEDs.
I got my ATI fixture for less than $500, then $150 for bulbs. I was thinking radions xr30s but that was going to be $2k. Figure a 5 year life span on the LEDs. In 5 years I’ll spend a total of $1250 on the T5
I’m not turning this into a led vs t5 thread
I supported the t5 recommendation if bulb cost is not a issue for op
ReefinIt
Active Member
lol yeah. Both have their pros and cons. I just think the cost argument isn’t really justified, unless you go with cheap LEDs.I’m not turning this into a led vs t5 thread
I have one fixture over my 48” tank that I bought over 5 years ago and it was 700$ new and it provides full variable spectrum and is completely dimmable and adjustable, and it easily has 5+ years more life on it
I have full even coverage left to right, front to back, and can grow sps anywhere if I wanted. I get 300 par on rocks mid tank height, on 40% power.
And a remote!
Just confirmed with reefbreeders owner
Q:are the meridians passive cooled like the photons and the fans only come on in overheat situations ? Or are the fans on all the time ?
RB:
There is not a single thing the photon does better than a Meridian.
Both lights are passive cooled but the fans on the Meridian are IP67 and are significantly better than the Photon ones
I think the 45 will give you more customizability and coverage
Derrick0580
Valuable Member
I would run 4-5 of the new reef breeders 24” front to back long way…..spread them evenly across the tank
Won’t cover properly. Would need a few of the 35’s if going that route
Check out GHL bars. Out of stock in the US but you aren't in the US.
Chart of sizes:
The best thing is they have "full length" bars.
Bad thing is they are not inexpensive.
6 150's is about 690 watts.
Probably around $3K US.
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I thought the ati stratons where expensive lol. Maybe 4 would do it aswel, two stratons are 440 watt and have the full tank coverage.Check out GHL bars. Out of stock in the US but you aren't in the US.
Chart of sizes:
The best thing is they have "full length" bars.
Bad thing is they are not inexpensive.
6 150's is about 690 watts.
Probably around $3K US.
They are 400€ in Europe so thats 2400€. Same price as two stratons.Check out GHL bars. Out of stock in the US but you aren't in the US.
Chart of sizes:
The best thing is they have "full length" bars.
Bad thing is they are not inexpensive.
6 150's is about 690 watts.
Probably around $3K US.
Each straton would need to cover 39x31 area. And only 430w total vs 702w ( 117 x6) over a 250gal (approx) tank
3.42 euros/watt vs 5.5 / watt for the straton.
Believe you need to add a controller for the bars ..Add$100..?
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fladiver
Community Member
Consider six or seven 4’ light bar with every other light staggered 1’ from the edge of 5’ tank. These light bars at 108W are 10,000 Kelvin color spectrum. They are available in solid blue as well if you like windex color. At $40 each, you can get 7 light bars for < $300.
54w/81w/108w PopularGrow Blue White LED Aquarium Light Bar Fish Tank Coral lamp | eBay
81W Led grow light bar. Rated Power: 81W. 108W Led grow light bar. 54W Led grow light bar. 54w/81W/108W Led Aquarium bar Light in High Power Aquarium led lighting beautiful your coral reef fish tank lamp.www.ebay.com
@Sjaako
When you say “passive cooling”, are you talking about the light or evaporative cooling of the water?
@Subsea I'm intrigued by those lights as I am in the early phases of trying to figure out lighting for a 45G that is 36"L x 24"H x 12"W. It will be a FOWLR tank with fish/inverts/live rock, so I do not necessarily need hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in lights. Would 1 or 2 of the 81W bars you linked work for my setup?
Subsea
5000 Club Member
I would recommend 1’ of light bar for every 10G. So, get two 3’ light bars. This recommendation was made by an Austin company, BML: Build My Led.
They would do any spectrum you dreamed up. However, what I see available today is 10K color or blue spectrum. I like 7000-10,000 Kelvin color spectrum on my display tanks. For seaweed growout tanks, I use 5000 Kelvin.
fladiver
Community Member
Thanks for quick response! So, you think two 81W lights in that link would work?
I guess my next question would be how they would be controlled. They don't look like they have any kind of controller or smart capability; in that situation would you just hook them up to a smart plug that has the capability of scheduling on/off at various dimmer percentages?
First...ACTUAL WATTAGE
Second afaict no " dimming" with that driver. Just have on/ off via timer/ smart plug.81W Led grow light bar
Rated Power: 81W
Actual power consumption
fladiver
Community Member
Thank you both (and apologies to the OP for hijacking).
I had been used to the gradual on (and off) at sunrise (sunset) with a biocube. From what you're saying, that doesn't sound realistic here if I go with those lights. It also sounds like there is no way to control the brightness of the lights; it would just be on or off right?
Assume no issue with going that route and just having a smart plug schedule for on/off?
I had been used to the gradual on (and off) at sunrise (sunset) with a biocube. From what you're saying, that doesn't sound realistic here if I go with those lights. It also sounds like there is no way to control the brightness of the lights; it would just be on or off right?
Assume no issue with going that route and just having a smart plug schedule for on/off?
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